Gnov increased the length of her stride, forcing Allura to practically jog, and insisted, "You're absolutely sure?"

"The rebel leader's report came in this morning. I came as soon as I heard. Gnov, I am truly sorry."

Gnov cursed and said, "This is not your fault. Hurry. The empress must be made aware."

The guard posted at the door of Krolia's bedchamber opened their mouth, but didn't say more than, "Advisor, you-" before Gnov threw it open and strode in. Krolia was lying in bed between Kolivan and Alphonse. It didn't take more than a glance at the blanket almost precariously clinging to the rise of her chest or the equally bare skin of her consorts to realize they had intruded upon an intimate moment.

Gnov saw Allura avert her eyes, but she only saluted her empress. As Krolia picked herself up from Kolivan's lap, Alphonse stopped massaging her feet and Gnov said, "Forgive me, my empress, but there is urgent news."

Krolia wiped juice from the fruits Kolivan had been feeding her off her lips and asked with sudden command, "What has happened?"

Gnov nodded to Allura. The poor girl kept her eyes on the floor just before the bed, her cheeks inflamed. "It's about Prince Lotor, aunt."

Krolia lifted her chin and swung her legs out of the bed. Striding toward the partition, she vanished behind it and asked, "And what has my nephew done now?"

Allura bit her lip, suddenly hesitant. When Krolia reappeared covered in a housecoat, she fixed Allura in place with a raised eyebrow. Gnov put a hand between Allura's shoulders, an insistent pressure to reveal what she knew. It was more threat than reassurance, and Allura said almost rushed, "Matt has been keeping us informed about bands of mercenaries and pirates that have gone unchecked, given the pacifistic nature of the paladins until recent events. Only vargas past, his report came in."

Krolia went to her vanity and fixed her hair in place, fixing a stare on Allura through the mirror. "That is hardly news that requires your intrusion to my sleeping quarters, Princess."

Allura fiddled with the ring on her finger and went on, "I understand, Empress. It is due to Lotor's involvement that I come to you. I am sorry, but it seems after the trials, pirates snuck into the blades' base and took Lotor. There is speculation that they were the ones he plotted with to orchestrate the interference at the armistice."

Krolia turned where she sat with a sharp glance at Kolivan. The blade leader stood and quickly grabbed discarded clothes from the floor. Allura kept her gaze on Krolia and finished, "Matt's report was that the Retribution was spotted engaging the fleet of pirates that Lotor is working with. It was further confirmed by spies within Sendak's ranks who saw Lotor, a prisoner in the witch-prince's custody."

"Haggar has Lotor?"

Krolia's emotionless question made Alphonse jump off the bed, hastily wrapping the bed sheets about his waist. He went to Krolia's side and assured, "Beloved, we'll-"

She stopped him with a raised hand. Her eyes shimmered, though her lips were a single strained line and she said with forced calm, "Can you... Alphonse? Do not promise me the impossible."

Kolivan lifted the hood of his armor and asked, "What is the time frame of the rebel leader's report? I must find out why I was not made aware of an infiltration."

Allura went to Kolivan and held out a small data card. Gnov saw Kolivan take it and insert it into his gauntlet. They spoke in low tones Gnov did not care to hear. Her empress needed her. "Krolia, what do you want me to do?"

Krolia's eyes slowly refocused and she folded her arms. "I need you on collateral, Gnov. Minimize the fallout. No doubt the pirates are already dead if Keith is involved, but we cannot let word of Lotor's treachery become commonplace knowledge. Keep this quiet."

Gnov saluted her empress and turned to leave. Allura and Kolivan left ahead of her, already quite a distance down the hall. Gnov couldn't think about them though. She had her own tasks to tend. There was a moment when she considered going back to comfort her empress. She paused. An almost feline scream sounded from the bedroom and something shattered against the wall. Blinking slowly, Gnov knew there was nothing she could do except what was asked of her. She walked on.

Lance kicked the punching bag hard enough to make it swing and stepped back. Panting, he went to his duffel bag and grabbed the water bottle. He downed half and poured the rest over his head. He shook out the excess and slicked back his hair. He dried and re-wrapped his hands then returned to the punching bag. Rolling his shoulders, he squared up and let loose.

He was breathing heavily and the water had turned to sweat on his skin when the door of the training deck opened. Allura stood against the wall and folded her arms. After a couple minutes, she said, "I just got back from the empire. Krolia took the bait. Lotor and Keith are safe from... from..."

Lance threw a heavy hook and sighed. No. They weren't safe. Keith's new family wasn't safe. He slowly unwrapped his hands and wadded it up. He tossed it into his bag and reached for Allura's hand. "We didn't have a choice, babe. Lotor was in a bad place. If we hadn't intervened, who knows what would have happened."

"But Krolia... Lance," Allura made a small noise in her throat, "you didn't see her. I don't know if she'll ever forgive them for hurting her like this."

Lance ran a thumb along her palm. "I know you hate lying to her, Allura. After all, she's your aunt too, but this is the only way." He kissed her temple and reached for his workout bag. "I'm going to hit the showers. Wanna join me?" The corner of her lips lifted. Success!

Allura shook her head and gathered her hair into a ponytail. "I'm going to train for a bit."

Lance nodded. "I'll be on the bridge if you need me." The crack of her whip sent shivers up his spine. He turned and admired her as she went through a series of flips while her deadly weapon twirled around her like a dancer's ribbon.

The bridge was dark as Lance toweled his hair. His bare feet slapped the floor, the sound loud in the surrounding silence. The castle was their's for the night. Alphonse was with Krolia, Hunk and Pidge were off trying to enjoy their abbreviated honeymoon, and Coran was working to maintain the paladin's image of humanitarians and philanthropists. Matt had mentioned several planets that needed assistance. Part of why Lance was here was because they were expecting a call from their space uncle, but it was the other part that sat like a rock in his gut.

Lance exhaled and put a hand on the back of his seat. It wasn't a comforting feeling. The leader of Voltron sat here. Lance was it's current user. Keith had occupied it before him... and Shiro before that. Shiro. He was alive. He had to be... But they'd been searching, Lance had been searching, for so long.

... No... He wouldn't let himself give up before even trying today. Lifting his shoulders, Lance took a deep breath and sat in the chair. The contours cradled his body and he closed his eyes, pulling his legs up to sit cross-legged. They needed Shiro... but he needed them more. Lance closed his eyes and finally exhaled.

The familiar calm of meditation was more annoying than usual. The lions were sleeping below in the belly of the castle. He could feel their steady heartbeat as one pulse. His chin dipped toward his chest as he fell in sync with them. This too was familiar... and irksome. As the minutes passed into hours, he couldn't feel anything more. Nothing. Not even the barest touch of anything new. Or Shiro.

His throat locked up as frustration built. The pattern with the lions was off, like a heart monitor jumping as the one it was attached to started to a-fib. The red lion growled and Lance groaned. Opening his eyes, he let out an unintelligible shout and shifted sideways in the chair.

Fucking! Nothing! Again!

He put a hand to his mouth and inhaled through his nose. No. This wasn't new. He didn't need to over react. Knowing that didn't lower his frustration though. Growling to echo Red, he slumped lower and glared at nothing. Because that was what he had. Five years of nothing.

"You're still up?"

Lance looked over his shoulder. Allura had changed into her pajamas with her hair up for sleeping. Lance put his head on a fist and grumped, "What time is it?"

"A little past two. Did Coran call?"

Lance leaned forward and checked the screen. Frowning, he grunted. "Yeah. I didn't even hear the notification. Sorry, Allura."

Allura pursed her lips and sat on the armrest of his chair. "I'll call him back in the morning. Honey... Red wants you to rest."

Lance glowered at the floor. "You don't have to be cryptic about it. Just tell me to come to bed."

"Alright," Allura teased. She came closer and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. Kissing beneath his ear, she whispered, "Come to bed, Lance. It's cold sleeping alone."

He couldn't resist a smile and rolled his neck. "Anything for you, babe." He stood and wobbled. Running his hands over his face, he let Allura pull him from the bridge. "You're so smart."

"Uh, huh. And you're always so agreeable when you're sleepy. You should have been asleep hours ago."

Lance giggled and squeezed her around her stomach. "Love you, too."

Acxa stood in the war room in Keith's place. Sendak and his most loyal officers were holding a final meeting with the leaders of the colonies. She waited with her own lieutenant of the Retribution against the wall, struggling to keep a blank expression. Sendak was in his true element for the first time since Zarkon's demise. His enthusiasm to make war sickened her.

Her composure was starting to crack when Sendak adjourned the war council and excused his soldiers. He was one of the first to leave and Acxa matched his pace. "Commander, a word."

Sendak fixed his shirt collar above his chest plate and said, "Keep it brief, 'milady'. I'll be airborne within the varga."

She swallowed the bile in the back of her throat and replied, "Prince Keitaran asked me to inform you he will join the fleet when he is available. First, he must accompany his mother and the prisoner to her laboratory."

"Yes, she mentioned something about that. Tell your prince to take his time. The honor of war is one I dislike sharing."

Acxa stopped in the hall and saluted his back, managing not to snarl, "May your battles be glorious, Commander." His chuckles sent cold shivers down her back. How she longed to slit his throat. Only self preservation stayed her hand. Keith had told her how difficult it was to kill the commander and even if she managed to win a direct confrontation, there would be no escape from his officers or her mother's wrath.

Turning to her own officer, she instructed, "Prep the ship for take off."

Her officer saluted and turned to follow orders. Acxa folded her arms, jealous she couldn't go straight to the ship. Instead, she paced back toward her suite. The one she and Keith now shared with Lotor. When Keith had proposed they ally with Lotor, she had reservations, but now she'd come to regret ever agreeing.

When she reached the suite, she knocked before entering. Keith emerged from the guest bedroom as she shut the door. Tipping her chin toward their room, she silently paced in with Keith a step behind. In confidence, she asked, "Is he prepared for the next step?"

Keith went to his armor stand and started changing for the journey. "He's recovered as much as can be expected from Apothica's actions. I haven't given him much information. It will be better if his reaction is natural when Honerva makes her demands."

Acxa went to the mirror and fixed her hair pins. "And his... behavior. Will he continue to resist?"

"Acxa," Keith sighed, "he understands his predicament." He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her stomach. Burying his face in her neck, he kissed her and whispered, "And I will play my part. If Honerva wants me to sleep with him, then I will, but it is only that. An order. You know I love you, right?"

She felt a twinge of guilt. He loved her because she'd stolen him. Her role in his capture had been tantamount to Haggar's plans. She could have crashed the Retribution, should have refused Sendak's command... but she'd flown the ship she'd stolen from Lotor from Lethua with Keith and Katie as prisoners. She covered his hands over her stomach and asked, "Do you remember the first night we spent together?"

"The day of the funeral?"

Acxa shook her head and turned in his arms. "After that. We were afraid of drawing attention to one another. Haggar was watching you so closely... and I was terrified of invoking her wrath another time. But as time passed, we risked contact until it was safer to be together than apart. You asked me to stay in your bed that night." She kissed his lips and put her head on his chest. "Your comforting physical warmth was the first I'd felt since losing Ezor and Zethrid. I didn't even know how much I needed that when I'd lost it. And you gave it freely. I didn't fall in love with you that night... but it wasn't long after."

"Acxa..."

She reached up and ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't ask you to give me anything, but you offered everything. It's been more than I ever thought I deserved and I thank you with my all for it, but Keith, if you tell me you want to go back to him when this is all over, I won't hold it against you." She swallowed her fear. She wouldn't cry. Wouldn't allow it to sway his decision. So when he tipped her chin to meet his gaze, she nearly burst into tears at the sheer terror in his eyes. "Keith-"

"Don't ask me to make that choice a second time, my heart," Keith whispered. He searched her eyes and ran a thumb along the corner of her lips. "I chose you then and I will not go back on that. Lotor and I are past. You are my future, Acxa."

"You're not just saying that because I'm pregnant?"

"You say you fell in love with me after that night. I... I asked you to stay because I didn't know any other way to express that I already did." Keith looked up and wiped his eyes with the heel of his palm. "So, yes, I'm overjoyed that we're going to have another baby, but I love you for who you are. Brave. Confident. Intelligent. God, you're the most wonderful woman in my life. And that will never change."

Acxa smiled and leaned into him. "You are too romantic for me."

He kissed her hair and took a step back, lifting her hand to his lips. "Come. We have to pick up Rhea from the school."

Acxa followed him back into the living room with a lighter heart. Then she saw Lotor leaning a hip into the table. Taking a deep breath, she went to the couch and retrieved the handcuffs. Walking to Lotor, she said, "Hold out your hands."

Lotor looked at the cuffs with a raised eyebrow and a glance at Keith. Unfolding his arms, he asked, "Do I even have a choice?" Despite his tone, he offered his hands, palms up.

Acxa fastened them around his wrists and held up a controller. "These are specialized. The first sign you turn against us," she pressed the button and his wrists snapped together. Lotor watched in surprise and then amusement. Acxa pressed it again and the magnets released.

Lotor looked at the cuffs and smirked mischievously. "I wasn't aware you were into this kind of thing, Acxa."

"By the purging flame," Acxa muttered under her breath. Shaking her head, she went to the door and waved the controller in front of Keith. "He knows just how to antagonize me. If it were up to me, I'd muzzle him again."

Keith snorted before hiding behind a hand. He leaned close and whispered, "I thought it was funny. And you know I'm not against..." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. Wrapping an arm around her, he said, "Let's go get our daughter before he gets any other wild ideas."

She rolled her eyes and said, "Walk within ten feet of us at all times. Do not speak unless spoken to by your guard. Do not stop unless we do. Am I understood?"

"Crystalline, Lieutenant."

"Then let's be on our way." Acxa opened the door as Keith lowered his mask. When the three of them exited, the crew of the Retribution fell in around them. She signaled them, casting a glance to make sure their perimeter was secure. Lotor was doing his best to keep his gait natural. To his credit, he was doing a good job. Head high and proud. No obvious sign he'd been recently tortured. She looked ahead.

His screams from four days past were a haunting memory. She hated being put there. His jailer. The one who kept Apothica in tenuous check. The one who had to witness his entire suffering. She hadn't been able to look away. She owed him at least that. He didn't speak of his childhood to her, but it was traumatic in its own way or he would have. Even though he knew the kind of suffering she had endured at the hands of their mother. They were siblings in that alone.

On the way from the Craschia, whispers followed their every move. The closer they got to the front door, the louder the whispers became. Several insults were hurled at the imperial prince. The officers closed ranks, walking shoulder to shoulder hiding Lotor behind their bodies. When they finally descended the stairs beneath the bright sunlight, she was glad she couldn't hear their terrible lies.

Keith led them down into the city toward the west side. The streets were clean. The houses in good repair. Fresh foods wafted tasty scents from market stalls. The city was thriving and it was Keith's doing. Which was why he was taking the scenic route. Maybe he was showing off Lotor's capture, but it was more likely that he wanted one last look before war forced him from this peaceful place.

Acxa didn't show her concerns, lest it upset him further. He was good at hiding his emotions, but not from her. Not anymore. She'd broken through those walls deca-pheobs ago and she'd promised to protect him. She was his first line of defense. Maybe his last.

When they reached the park in front of the school, the children were playing on a roughly made jungle-gym. Keith had described it to the teachers and insisted it was healthy for childhood development. The school jumped on the project right away. The schools Keith had opened in other cities were only encouraged when the children were happy with their new equipment.

Perov and Nent stood to the side opposite the teachers. Rhea was wearing a blue dress playing in the flowers with two other girls. She'd been obsessed with them ever since the wedding. Of course, the flowers she was playing with now were weeds, but she didn't need to know that to find them beautiful.

Acxa stopped by Perov and her officers formed a line behind her. Keith walked toward Rhea, calling her name. Her ear twitched in his direction and she looked up with a smile. Squeezing a handful of weeds, she ran to her father. He lifted his mask and picked up his daughter. When he kissed her cheek, he hugged her tight and knelt beside her. He took her offered bouquet and sniffed them with a beaming grin.

More children ran over. Keith opened his arms as another girl and boy hugged him. Acxa smiled and sighed. He was such a good man. Such a good father. There was a noise to her left and when she looked over, she saw a soft smile on Lotor's face. He smothered it as fast as he could.

Acxa looked back at Keith with a proud lift of her chin. Keith said his goodbyes to the kids and waved to their teachers before picking Rhea up and settling her on his hip. She chattered away, hands squeezing the stems of her beautiful flowers. Keith reached for Acxa's hand and kissed the back again. He didn't drop it as they returned to the landing pad where the Retribution waited.

The soldiers saluted them as the lower bay closed. Keith put Rhea down and she immediately ran to Lotor and grabbed his hands. "Let's play, Lotowr!"

Lotor knelt on one knee beside her. "My princess, your wish is my command, but first, we should find a vase for your beautiful flower arrangement." He raised an eyebrow toward Keith in question.

Keith mouthed, 'The cafeteria,' and Lotor nodded in thanks.

Lotor stood gracefully to his full height and held Rhea's hand with absolute care in his much larger grasp. The two of them wandered off in search of their vase and Acxa breathed in relief. Keith squeezed her hand and whispered, "Let us be away, my queen. Take my place on the bridge. I'll see my mother settled and be there to activate the teleduv."

Acxa nodded and answered, "As you bid, my prince."

Lotor was sat slouched against the wall of the cafeteria. Rhea had crashed even before they found a vase and she now slept in the triangle of space of one bent leg. She pillowed her head on his thigh, curls tickling the back of his hand where he rubbed between her shoulders. Such a trusting child. Rhea smiled and snuggled in closer. He was starting to relax after touring through the town.

That was what he'd expected. Ridicule and scorn. The only thing lacking was thrown refuse. His mental shell was thin after the druid's assault. He'd woken up in Keith's bedroom scared and in pain and was ashamed of his weakness. Would Keith have broken so easily?

Keith had reassured him that the druid, that girl, was acting out with no regard for her own safety. She'd been as close to killing herself as much as him. Still, it was little comfort. He'd expected more of himself.

The door opened. Lotor looked up, the person entering was hidden behind the table. He watched as the cloak of a druid moved with liquid grace to the couch. His ear twitched as a low feline growl approached from the side. He blinked over where Kova paced silently toward him. Lotor held eye contact with the cursed cat and extended one hand.

Kova watched. Lotor waited patiently. He had nothing but time, in all reality. After a lingering stalemate, Kova touched his nose to Lotor's finger. It's eyes widened a fraction after a moment and it seemed to recognize him. Lotor watched as the cat pressed its head into his palm and arched its back to let him pet it. Then it walked back to the druid that had accompanied it.

The druid did not show any sign of noticing his presence, but Lotor knew enough not to trust that. Silently, he stood and picked up Rhea. She moaned and rubbed her face into his shoulder. The druid shifted and Lotor cursed internally, but started to move toward the door.

"Where are you going, young prince?"

Lotor froze at Haggar's chilling question. It brought back memories from his childhood. He tipped his head, grinding his teeth. Turning to face the witch at attention befitting her role, he answered, "The little princess fell asleep. I wish to return her to her quarters. Is that a problem?"

Kova walked along the back of the couch before vanishing over it. Haggar's voice was tainted with false concern as she said, "No, that is not a problem. It is intriguing, though, that you tolerate the girl's curiosities given the circumstances."

Lotor drew up with narrowed eyes, covering Rhea with his other arm. "I'm your prisoner, but there is no reason to scare the child."

"So you would protect her innocence?"

"Someone has to," Lotor hissed. "She deserves to keep what was stolen from me, hag."

"Is that what you believe?" Haggar's question floated over the purr of the cat in her lap.

Lotor shuddered, struggling to hold still so as not to wake Rhea. "What other explanation is there? I was a child when I lost my parents and my home. Before I could even come to grasps with that, the guards sworn to protect me were forced to hide my aunts and myself from the vengeance of the dead emperor returned. That... monster," Lotor snarled, "killed an entire race in retaliation for his own mistake. I watched in horror no child should experience as that bastard's tyranny leached further and further, violating and desecrating limitless civilizations."

Lotor's voice wavered with emotion. He tried to regain control and lowered his tone to a bare growl, "So yes, my innocence was ravaged to my utmost inner being the moment you meddled with that unholy power between dimensions. I could not loathe you more for what happened to me and I will be damned if I let the same thing happen to the beautiful soul of this innocent child."

"Are you quite finished?"

Lotor flinched at the cold, tired tone. He turned back to the door and took a step, but gasped and froze. Haggar stood before him, her hood thrown back. Her skin was pale lavender, like his. Even more similar than in the past. However there was something about her eyes that was different. They were more focused. Less frantic. For the first time in a thousand centuries, he was scared she had a goal in mind. He turned sideways to hide Rhea and said, "Let me pass."

Haggar folded her hands at her waist. "As you say. We can speak more about this when we land." She moved to let him pass and motioned. Lotor was almost to the door when she added, "And Lotor... thank you for acknowledging me as your mother... after all this time."

"It was a mistake I refuse to make a second time. As I said before, witch, I am not your son, I am your prisoner." Lotor narrowed his eyes and seethed, "Nothing will change that. Now, may I pass so that the child sleeps in her own bed?"

Haggar lifted her hood, but her hand descended only a fraction. Lotor watched suspiciously. That shriveled hand approached. Lotor held his breath. With more care than Lotor had seen her direct at anyone, Haggar took the edge of the girl's skirt where it had risen above her knee and tugged it back down to Rhea's ankle.

"It's a wonder she stayed awake as long as she did. Usually the kit takes a nap after the midday meal, but Keitaran wanted her to interact with little ones her own age. Her guards were taking care of her while he finished the war preparations." Haggar reached up and gently stroked Rhea's hair. "I used to hate the sound of laughter. It lingered in my memory causing pain. Would you believe me if I said I missed this kit's antics in her absence?"

Lotor clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to wrench the child from Haggar's grasp. Haggar lowered her hand and stepped aside. "Rhea sleeps in the captain's quarters. I'm sure you still know the location."

Lotor left the cafeteria and didn't look back. Only his steady footsteps hid his trembling. When he entered the captain's cabin, his legs nearly gave out. He forced himself onward and laid Rhea on her bed. Then he collapsed on the floor. He curled up and bit his hand to keep from whimpering.

The door opened and quick footsteps approached. A hand on his shoulder made him flinch and they pulled him to sit upright. "No, it's alright. I'm... I'm..." Lotor struggled to hold himself together, but there was no use. Haggar had completely destroyed him again.

"Easy, Lotor. Deep breaths."

"Acxa?" Lotor looked up as Keith's words left his sister's mouth. "Acxa, what are you doing here?"

"Shh. You'll wake Rhea." Acxa sat beside him and pulled his head to her shoulder. "Calm down and everything will be okay. We can sit quietly here together as long as you need. Keith can handle the ship." She shifted and then a piece of cloth was shoved into his lap. She gestured and said, "For your hand. You're bleeding."

Lotor looked down and saw a small red circle. He ran his tongue along a fang and tasted his own blood. Swallowing a sob, he wrapped his hand with the cloth, using his teeth to tie a knot. "Thank you, Acxa." She took his hand and squeezed, but looked out the open door. Lotor closed his eyes and let his head fall back into the mattress. This was barely the beginning.

So we're back. Ouch...